Mr Chaudhry had lived with his wife at their terraced home off Little Green Lane in Small Heath for 25 years.

Mrs Khan added: “We just hope the police find who did this. It was him today, it could be someone else tomorrow.

“To kill a defenceless old man who had a walking stick - well, it's just terrible.”

Mrs Khan said her father was a "harmless old man" and still had his bus pass and a small amount of money on him when he was found.

Officers were called to the scene in Little Green Lane, Small Heath, just after 10.30pm on Monday night. He was taken to hospital and pronounced dead at 11pm on Monday.

Wyndcliffe Primary School, which is close to where the incident took place, will be closed today while police investigate.

Speaking at a press conference near the murder scene, Detective Superintendent Mark Payne, from West Midlands Police, said their investigation was in the early stages and that they did know yet known the motive for the killing.

Calling it a "vicious attack", Det Supt Payne said: "We are investigating the murder of a 75-year-old male that occurred last night.

"It was about 10.15 to 10.30. What we know is that the man Mr Saleem had just been to his local mosque on Green Lane in Birmingham.

"He was walking back to his home and that during the course of that walk he was stabbed and subsequently died of the injuries.

"We are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time to come forward and talk to us. We're appealing to the community to please help us to find the people who killed Mr Saleem.

"We understand there may be some difficulties within the community that people may be reluctant to come forward.

"We will offer people reassurance. We will help protect them in the criminal justice process."

Mr Payne said neighbours had contacted the ambulance service after they attempted to give Mr Saleem first aid in the road. He said it didn't look like he had been robbed, but he wouldn't rule it out. He also said there was nothing to suggest the attack was racially motivated, but they were not ruling anything out.

Witnesses are being urged to contact West Midlands Police or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.